Self-righting floating booms

ABSTRACT

A unique self-righting and quickly deployable floating boom capable of enduring strong winds and waves comprises a series of polymer floats each incorporating a horizontally extending shelf securely attached at spaced intervals to an integral composite fin of vinyl sheet reinforced by woven polyester fibers incorporating an interwoven core of two characteristically different fibers that provide the vinyl sheet with different vertical and horizontal flexing capabilities. An extension shelf formed on each of the polymer floats provides the boom with additional buoyancy while also serving as a barrier effectively containing oil and other floating materials despite wind, choppy water and strong waves. Furthermore, the extension shelves incorporate fore and aft lifting surfaces which tend to induce &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;planing&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and counteract the forces which tend to draw the floating boom beneath the water surface during fast end-wise deployment. The dual fiber core of the vinyl sheet is manufactured with relatively thin horizontal fibers interwoven with relatively stiff, thick vertical fibers to allow the vinyl sheet to flex easily about vertical flexing axes while strongly resisting horizontal flexing about horizontal flexing axes.

United States Patent [191 Smith et al.

[ Sept. 4, 1973 SELF-RIGHTING FLOATING BOOMS [75] Inventors: Millard F.Smith, 2 Harding Ln.,

Westport; Anthony V. Anusauckas, Fairfield, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: said Smith, by said Anusauckas [22] Filed: July 21, 1971[21] Appl. No.: 164,606

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Serv No.815,663, April 14,

Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Attorney-Mattern, Ware & Davis [57]ABSTRACT A unique self-righting and quickly deployable floating boomcapable of enduring strong winds and waves comprises a series of polymerfloats each incorporating a horizontally extending shelf securelyattached at spaced intervals to an integral composite fin of vinyl sheetreinforced by woven polyester fibers incorporating an interwoven core oftwo characteristically different fibers that provide the vinyl sheetwith different vertical and horizontal flexing capabilities. Anextension shelf formed on each of the polymer floats provides the boomwith additional buoyancy while also serving as a barrier effectivelycontaining oil and other floating materials despite wind, choppy waterand strong waves. Furthermore, the extension shelves incorporate foreand aft lifting surfaces which tend to induce planing and counteract theforces which tend to draw the floating boom beneath the water surfaceduring fast endwise deployment. The dual fiber core of the vinyl sheetis manufactured with relatively thin horizontal fibers interwoven withrelatively stiff, thick vertical fibers to allow the vinyl sheet to flexeasily about vertical flexing axes while strongly resisting horizontalflexing about horizontal flexing axes.

11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTED E 4 7 FIG. I

PATENTEDsEP mu 3756x031 SHEET 2 I}? 4 PATENTEDSH' 4 ma SHEEI 3 BF 4SELF-RIGIITING FLOATING BOOMS CROSS-REFERENCE This application is acontinuation-in-part application of Millard F. Smiths patent applicationrelating to High-Strength Fire-Resistant Spill Control Booms filed Apr.14, 1969 and bearing Ser. No. 815,633.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the ever-increasing awareness of ourenvironmental pollution, the problem of oil spills has received muchattention. Because of the severe ecological damage which may result fromoil spills, many states have adopted laws or are in the process ofadopting laws which will require oil containment booms to be availableat all oil transfer installations. The oil boom of Millard F. SmithsU.S. Pat. No. 3,146,598 and the oil boom of Millard F. Smiths US Pat.No. 3,299,490 have gone into wide use in many such installations andhave provided effective oil containment under a wide variety of water,wind and sea conditions.

Many floating booms, however, are not capable of successfully containingoil during weather ocnditions which produce strong winds and relativelyshort choppy waves, having high ratios of wave amplitude to wave length.Under these conditions, the wind and waves often drive the oil over thepolymer floats and the oil retaining fin. This oil loss is alsocompounded by the horizontal flexing of the fin, and thin, limp boomfinshave been known to roll up around their floats like a window shade onits roller, thereby eliminating any containment capability and allowingthe oil to escape. As a result, any oil spills resulting from midoceancollisions between tankers during severe weather conditions pose oilcontainment problems that cannot be handled by conventional floatingbooms.

Another problem with most existing oil containment booms is theirinability to remain afloat when there are strong tidal currents. Thisinability is generally due to the common rectangular or cylindricalshape employed in most of the booms for the buoyant floats. As a result,the strong tidal currents pulling against the longitudinal tension ofthe anchored boom may draw the submerged portion of the fin downwardly,causing the floats and the oil containment portion of the fin to bepulled toward or even below the water surface. Consequently, the oil isfree to escape at wave crests where there is nothing remaining above thewater level to contain the oil.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a principal object of theinvention to provide a floating boom that is self-righting, even underadverse weather conditions, short steep choppy waves and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selfrighting boom ofthe above character possessing supplemental buoyancy characteristics,that is capable of remaining afloat in strong tidal currents.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selfrighting boom ofthe above character that is capable of containing oil even while exposedto strong winds and waves, with lateral shelf means, which achievesexcess reserve buoyancy providing a large righting moment wheneverheeling occurs, and also presents additional barrier surfaces to preventthe escape of contained oil during such weather conditions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a floating boom of theabove character that allows longitudinal flexing and resists horizontalbending about horizontal bending axes.

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the features,elements, combinations and operating procedures disclosed in thefollowing detailed description and shown in the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By mounting on a vinyl fin a plurality ofpolymer floats which incorporate laterally protruding shelves extendingthe length of the polymer floats and incorporating planing or liftingsurfaces, a unique self-righting floating boom is constructed. Thepolymer float of this invention is substantially rectangular in shapewith a shelf-like portion extending laterally from the otherwisesubstantially flat side surface of the float and running the length ofthe float, with its ends being raked", to reduce drag during rapidendwise deployment. The shelf-like portion extends from the body of thefloat a distance at least equal to the float thickness and is positionedalong the lower half of the float height. The bottom surface of theshelf-like extension of the float of this invention incorporates slopedsurfaces along its terminating ends. This provides a lifting surfacecausing each float to skim or plane on its shelf during endwisedeployment, and substantially eliminates any submerging tendency duringendwise towing.

US Pat. No. 3,184,923 issued to L. Galvaing on May 25, 1965 disclosesseparate, independent wood floats mounted in a horizontal plane,perpendicular to a vertical plate or board housed in an envelopingsheath. Such wood floats secured to the vertical plate only by means ofscrews produce a structure very prone to failure. A boom assemblyincorporating floats merely screwed to a vertical fin is not capable ofsustaining the tremendous forces which are generated during use.

Galvaings principal buoyant floatation is produced by his separateindepenent wood floats, as contrasted to uniformly buoyant integralcruciform cross section of the float of the present invention. Thenormal static buoyancy of the present boom is produced primarily by thelower end of the central portion of the buoyant floats 21 extendingdownward beneath the lower surfaces 41 of the laterally protrudingshelves 31. Thus, applicants shelves 31 provide a unique source ofexcess or reserve buoyancy producing enormous and laterally spacedbuoyant force strongly resisting overturning whenever lateral upsettingforces of waves or wind tilt or heal the float portion 21 to immerse oneof the shelves 31, as shown in FIG. 9.

In the boom of the present invention, a unitary float structureincorporating both a float body and an extension shelf is provided.Since the extension shelf is an integral part of the float, the buoyantfloat is capable of enduring the tremendous forces generated during use.Also, the use of two identical floats interconnected in juxtaposedfacing relationship with the barrier fin sandwiched therebetweenprovides a floating boom having superior inherent strength and,consequently, superior oil retentive capabilities. Also, the floats ofthis invention incorporate lifting and planing ramp surfaces and rakedor beveled ends on the extension shelf to enhance the stability anddeployability of the boom of the present invention.

Also, the float incorporates integral mounting strips or inserts whichare molded in place during the formation of the float, providing easilyaccessible, readily attachable flange or insert surfaces by which thepolymer floats can be secured to the vinyl fin. The attachment strip mayextend the entire length of the float and be located at both the top andbottom of the float, or a plurality of separate integrally mountedinserts may be molded within the polymer float with a portion thereofexposed for attachment to the fin. The polymer floats of this inventionare used in pairs and are secured to both sides of the vinyl fin. Thisresults in floating booms having a float which provides not only theusual float height but also provides buoyant extension shelves on bothsides of the vinyl fin, providing added buoyancy and self-rightingcapability to the boom.

The unusual stability and ready towability of the booms of thisinvention are further enhanced by a novel connector transmitting tensionloads between adjacent boom segments and terminal towing attachmentswhile preserving the containment integrity of the booms at all jointsbetween boom segments.

Also, the vinyl fin of the floating boom of this invention ismanufactured with a central woven core which incorporates two differenttypes of fibers. The horizontally extending fibers are relatively thinstrands and are interwoven with substantially thicker verticallyextending fibers. This dual fiber core is then sandwiched and coatedwith vinyl to form the finished integral fin. Due to the construction ofthe woven core, the vinyl fin has two different bending characteristics.The horizontally extending fibers are substantially smaller than thevertically extending fibers. Consequently, the fin can be easily flexedalong lines running parallel with the heavier fibers or, in other words,along vertically extending flexing axes. However, in order to bend thevinyl fin parallel to the smaller, more pliable fibers, the stronger,thicker fibers must be bent. Since these fibers are stronger andheavier, they resist bending and, as a result, impart greater stiffnessto the vinyl fin to overcome forces tending to bend the fin along anyhorizontal axis. As a result, winds and waves which tend to bend thepolymer fin horizontally are resisted by the fin of the floating boom ofthis invention and, thereby, impart greater stability and effectivenessto the floating booms.

The invention accordingly comprises the features, elements, combinationsand operating procedures hereinafter disclosed, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference should be had to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the selfrighting floatingboom of this invention deployed in rough waters;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the twofiber core of thevinyl fin of the floating boom of this invention with a magnified finportion shown;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional' front view of the vinyl fin of thisinvention taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged underside perspective view of the polymerfloats assembled with the fin in the floating boom of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the assembled floats and fin of FIG. 4;

' FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the floats and fin of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional end elevation view of the boom of FIG. 4,taken along plane 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional end elevation view of the floatingboom of FIG. 4, taken along plane 8-8 shown in FIG. 6, and showndeployed in calm water;

FIG. 9 is a corresponding enlarged cross sectional end elevation viewsimilar to that of FIG. 8 showing the same boom deployed in rough water.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view partially broken away of a secondembodiment of the floating boom of this invention;

FIG. 1 l is a greatly enlarged cross sectional top plan view taken alongline l1l1 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged front elevation view of a fin mountinginsert shown embedded in the polymer float of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 13 is a top plan view partially in cross-section taken along linel313 of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The self-righting floating boom 20 of thisinvention is shown in operation in FIG. 1. Floating boom 20 incorporatesa plurality of floats 21 securely mounted to fin 22. Each float 21incorporates attachment strips 23 molded in position during theformation of float 21, ready for rapid and simple mounting to fin 22.

SELECTIVE BENDING FIN As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, fin 22incorporates a woven, dual-fiber web core 26 which is surroundinglyenclosed by vinyl 27. Web core 26 comprises relatively thin strandedhorizontal fibers 28 interwoven with substantially thicker verticalfibers 29. Preferably, fibers 28 comprise fine denier spun polyesteryarn, such as Dacron or Terylene", and fibers 29 comprise higher deniermonofalament polyester fibers. The thin fibers 28 will horizontallytraverse fin 22, substantially parallel along the length of the fin,while comparatively thick fibers 29 will traverse fin 22 vertically andsubstantially parallel over the height of the fin.

Preferably vinyl 27 comprises bunapolyvinylchloride and is approvedinternational orange" in color to improve the visibility of boom 20. Inmanufacturing fin 22, dual fiber core 26 is oriented" by beingsimultaneously heated and stretched out on a frame. Then it is laminatedor coated with vinyl 27. This fabrication technique improves the bendingcharacteristics of tin 22 by substantially reducing or eliminating anytendency of fiber core 26 to stretch or elongate.

The incorporation of dual fiber web core 26 in fin 22 arranged in themanner discussed above provides fin 22 with unique, selective bendingcharacteristics. Since the only resistance to the longitudinal flexingof fin 22 about vertical axes is provided by vinyl 2'7 and therelatively thin horizontal fibers 28, fin 22 can be easily flexed aboutvertically oriented lines.

Fin 22, however, has a vastly different flexing characteristic abouthorizontally extending lines. When fin 22 is flexed or bent over about ahorizontal line, thick fibers 29 must be bent along with vinyl 27. Sincethe monofilament fibers 29 are substantially heavier than fibers 28,fibers 29 strongly resist forces tending to bend them and, consequently,they rigidify fin 22 against bending about horizontal lines.

This unique dual-flex characteristic of fin 22 is extremely important inthe stability and overall performance of floating boom 20. Since fin 22can be easily flexed about vertical lines, the fin will respond tonormal water currents and waves as presently existing booms do nowperform, and, also, the boom can be easily folded accordion-fashion forstorage. However, when strong winds and driving waves impact against fin22, attempting to bend the fin about horizontal lines, semi-rigidifiedfin 22 resists these forces with great effectiveness. As indicated inFIG. 9, the high buoyancy of floats 21 coupled with the relativestiffness of fin 22 against bending about horizontal lines maintains thefloat portion of the boom well above the sea surface, refusing to behorizontally flexed and driven into the water or to allow the containedoil to escape. Furthermore, the controlled rigidity of fin 22 allows thefloats 21 to be spaced 28 to 34 inches apart without the necessity ofhaving the floats linked together in a continuous chain". Also,dual-fiber core 26 of fin 22 substantially increases the tensilestrength of fin 22, thereby essentially eliminating the need forincorporating tension carrying means on boom 20, if desired.

The relative stiffness of the fin 22 against bending about horizontalaxes assures the depending downward deployment of the fin 22 projectingwell beneath the surface to guarantee effective containment of oil orother floating material. The ballast weights 33 help to maintain thissubstantially vertical downward depolyment of fin 22, even againstlateral current, wind or wave loads tending to bend over slightly theupper portion of fin 22.

This semi-rigid downwardly dependingbarrier fin, coupled with theskimming planing floats of this invention, together assure that thesebooms will track readily behind a towboat, and their extremely low dragavoids sweeping or corner-cutting as the towboat changes course; thus,during deployment the boom readily moves endwise in trace behind thetowboat along each leg of its course, while depending fin 22 remainsdownwardly deployed at all times to serve as a guiding keel, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. This assures that boom will follow or track behind thetowboat, substantially following the identical deployment path of thetowboat.

SELF-RIGHTING FLOAT Float 21 can best be seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7.Float 21 comprises an overall shape substantially similar to a rightangled parallelepiped with a shelf 31 perpendicularly extending from thefront face 32 of float 21 and longitudinally transversing the entirelength of face 32, protruding substantially parallel to the top surface36 and bottom surface 37 of float 21 in the direction of the seasurface, as shown in FIG. 8. Mounting strips 23 also extendsubstantially the entire length of float 21 and are molded in placeprotruding vertically at the rear of top surface 36 and the rear ofbottom surface 36 of float 21. Two floats 21 are preferably positioned,juxtaposed to each other, on both sides of fin 22 with their backsurfaces facing each other. Floats 21 are then secured to each other andfin 22 by fastening means, such as rivets 34, ultrasonic spot welding,or the like. The

construction of boom 20 is completed by mounting ballast weights 33along the bottom edge of fin 22 to aid in maintaining the lower portionof fin 22 below the water surface.

The inclusion of shelf 31 as an integral part of each paired float 21provides the buoyant float assembly with an entirely new buoyantcruciform configuration not employed with prior art floats, and thisimparts distinct advantages to floating boom 20. Shelf 31 preferablyextends from the front face 32 of float 21 by a distance that is greaterthan the thickness of float 21 (the distance between front face 32 andsecuring strip 23). Consequently, the shelves 31 of the paired floatsprovide a wide buoyant platform, thereby greatly increasing the buoyancyof floats 21 and the entire boom 20.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, shelf 31 incorporates a top surface 39, afront side surface comprising a middle portion 40 and beveled or rakedend portions 43, and a bottom surface comprising a middle portion 41 andtapering and ramp portions 42. Preferably, front side portion 40 issubstantially flat, and substantially parallel to front face 32 of float21, and the raked end portions 43 are substantially flat and extendangularly from middle portion 40 to the end edges of front face 32,blending therewith at their terminating ends. Top surface 39 of shelf 31is substantially flat and, as best seen in FIG. 7, extends from the sidesurface 40 of shelf 31 to front face 32 of float 21. The slight anglewith which top surface 39 approaches and joins front face 32 of float 21provides shelf 31 with integral, sturdy support from the central body offloat 21.

In the preferred embodiment, the length of each float 21 is about 28inches and the floats are spaced about 30 to 32 inches apart on fin 22to form boom 20. This arrangement along with beveled end portions 43allows boom 20 to be stored accordion-folded in a nested position readyfor immediate deployment. Although the nested storage configuration cantake many forms, generally, the boom configuration provides sufficientfin length betweem floats to allow the boom to be folded in accordionfashion in any desired length, with juxtaposed floats easily nested.between adjacent floats in juxtaposed relationship with the intermediatefin surfaces therebetween.

Preferably, middle portion 41 of the underside of shelf 31 issubstantially flat and extends angularly from front face 32 of float 21to front side portion 40 of shelf 31. Ramped tapering end portions 42slope upwardly from bottom portion 41 until reaching the sides of frontportion 32 of float 21, blending therewith at their terminating ends.Generally, all of the interfacing surfaces between front face 32 andshelf 31 are tapered and incorporate fillet radii at their interblendingpoints. The tapering surfaces and radii are preferred, since theirinclusion increases the strength of the float while also providing amore easily molded product.

The slope of ramped end portions 42 away from bottom portion 41 towardstop portion 39 of shelf 31 provide float 21 with unique hydroplane"lifting surfaces which allows boom 20 to be towed rapidly without fearof float submersion, since surfaces 42 tend to lift floats 21 out of thewater, resulting in a line of floats freely bobbing on the watersurface. The inclusion of raked end portions 43 and ramped end portions42 are preferred since both surfaces cooperate to impart streamliningand additional buoyancy to boom 20, thereby allowing boom to be rapidlydeployed in position around an oil slick even during rough seas andadverse weather conditions.

The construction of shelf 31 and its configuration on float 21 provideboom 20 with a highly useful selfrighting capability. When boom 20 isemployed in poor weather conditions with high winds and choppy waves,these adverse forces will impinge upon front face 32 of one of thefloats 21 in an attempt to drive shelf 31 into the water. The buoyantdisplacement of the widespread buoyant floation platform defined byshelf surfaces 41 and 42 resists these forces, and instead counteractsheeling and tends to right the boom 20 itself to its normal position.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, various advantages of the widespread buoyant floatconfiguration and stiff fin of this invention can best be seen. When thewaters in which the floating boom is employed are relatively calm, asrepresented in PEG. 8, boom 20 floats in the water with vinyl fin 22substantially perpendicular to the water surface. Floats 21 withextension shelves 31 float on the surface of the water, maintaining asubstantial portion of fin 22 above the surface of the water to provideboom 20 with the necessary upstanding oil containment surface area,blocking splashing or slopping of oil past the boom 20.

The position of extension shelves 31 along the lower half of the frontsurface 32 of float 21 provides assurance that floating boom 20 willpossess the required amount of buoyancy while also providing asubstantialiy greater oil retaining surface area above the watersurface. In the preferred embodiment, fin 22 is about 36 inches wide andabout 12 inches of fin 22 is maintained above the water surface.Maintenance of the substantially vertical orientation of fin 22 in thewater is assured by ballast weights 33 which are mounted along the loweredge of fin 22, imparting added weight thereto.

By analogy, the booms of the present invention exhibit the high lateralstability against initial" heeling, produced by flat-bottomed andmulti-hull vessels, with the highly effective self-righting action of adeep keel sailboat, whose increasing angle of heel correspondinglyincreases the righting arm and righting moment of the vessels heavykeel. Thus, a slight angle of heel immersing the right shelf 31 in FIG.9 immediately moves the booms center of buoyancy to the right, tendingto re-erect the heeling boom; simultaneously, the relative stiffness ofthe fin 22 against bending about horizontal axes serves to produce anincreasing deep-keel righting moment of ballast 33, further tending tore-erect the boom 20 with highly efficient self-righting action.

In FIG. 9, the unique advantages of extension shelves 31 of float 21when exposed to rough waters and/or severe weather conditions can bestbe seen. When strong winds and waves impinge upon front surface 32 offloats 21, the heeling forces thereby generated tend to drive extensionshelf 31 of the opposite float 21 below the water surface. As previouslydescribed, the widespread buoyancy achieved by extension shelf 31resists these heeling forces by attempting to remain above the watersurface and right boom 20 into its normal position of FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, the boom 20 normally rides in the water with theshelves 3?. at or above the water surface. Sudden heeling plunges shelf31 below the surface, as shown in FIG. 9, and the buoyant force Bthereon, acting at a laterally displaced moment arm a from the center ofgravity of the boom provides enormore. The booms of this invention thuscombine the high initial stability of flat bottomed vessels with thehigh ultimate stability of deep keel sailing vessels contributed by theballasted semi-rigid fin 22.

If the winds and waves are capable of overcoming the self-rightingcapabilities of floats 21, a portion of extension shelf 31 may be drivenbelow the water surface, as shown in FIG. 9. However, when extensionshelf 31 of one of the floats 21 is driven below the water surface, theother extension shelf 31 of the other float 21 is raised above the watersurface. Consequently, the waves which heel the boom and tend tosubmerge it or to carry oil over the boom meet a new obstacle headon-thenewly exposed underside of the raised shelf Fol-which not only reducesthe force of the waves but also prevents the waves from driving oil overfloating boom 20. As previously described, the dual fiber web at thecore of fin 22 also resists the forces which attempt to submerge floats21 and impart greater rigidity to fin 22.

In the preferred embodiment, floats 21 are manufactured from foamedpolyurethane, although any other substantially oil-resistant materialcan be used with equal efficacy. Also, the floats can be manufacturedfrom high temperature-resistant materials such as modified polyvinylchloride cellular foam, foamed aluminum blocks having a closed cell foamstructure, and polymer foam with a neoprene-supported fabric sheath.

In the prior art floating booms, severe weather conditions and roughwaters sometimes cause entire floats to be submerged, releasingpreviously retained oil from containment and permitting itto be drivenby wind and waves far beyond the previously confined area.

With the boom of this invention, complete submersion is minimized oreliminated by the unique stability and self-righting characteristicsproduced by the float shape and ballast-fin-float configurationdescribed above, and substantial oil confinement continues regardless ofsevere weather conditions and/or rough waters. The boom of thisinvention is capable of achieving previously unattainable stability dueto the selective bendability of the fin and the unique widespreadbuoyancy and oil splash-resistance of the buoyant cruciform floatscooperating with the selectively bendable ballastcarrying fin. Undernormal weather conditions, the preferred construction and arrangement ofthe floats and the fin provide an oil barrier standing about 12 inchesabove the water surface. Experiments have shown that under therelatively high wind loading of 38 miles an hour, the boom of thisinvention with its minimum angle of heel provided an effective oilbarrier standing 11 inches above the water surface.

The unique selective bendability of the fin produced by the woven dualfiber web core provides the boom with the desirable advantage ofeliminating the need for the closely spaced continuous chain of buoyantfloats required in many prior art booms. The need for a continuous chainof floats is eliminated because of the inherent capability of the fin towithstand and remain relatively rigid under wind, current and waveforces tending to bend the fin about horizontal lines. This rigidifiedfin accomplishes the task previously invention is presented in FIG. 10,incorporating various alternative structural features. Floating boom 60incorporates polymer float 61 secured to composite polyester vinyl sheetfin 22. Polymer float 61 incorporates a plurality of mounting inserts 62disposed along the top and bottom edge of the float with a portion ofeach insert embedded and surroundingly held by the foamed polymer float.

As best seen in FIG. 12, insert 62, preferably, comprises a single pieceof metal with a substantially flat central portion 63 and two arms 66,which are formed by symmetrically bending the arm portion in severaldifferent planes. Large diameter holes are punched in arms 66 and insert62 is positioned for foamed entrapment in float 61 during forming.Substantially flat central portion 63 of insert 61 remains exposed andincorporates a small attachment hole 64, and if desired a moldingalignment hole 65. The holding arms 66 of insert 62, which incorporatethe large holes, become part of the polymer float, securely retainedtherein by the foam structure. In FIG. 13, the secure entrapment of arm66 in the polymer foam of float 61 is best seen.

Float 61 is attached to fin 22 by fastening means, such as rivets, whichpass through holes 64 of inserts 62, thereby securing float 61 to fin22. As described above, in the preferred embodiment, floats 61 aremounted to fin 22 in pairs which are symmetrically aligned; this allowsa single rivet to secure each pair of juxtaposed inserts of the opposedfloats to each other and fin 22, forming a substantially unitary buoyantfloat body having a cruciform cross section, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and9.

In order to provide a floating boom of any desired length, it isimportant that standardized floating boom sections are readilyinterconnectible and readily attachable to a towing rig for easydeployment. As shown in FIG. 10, connector bracket 70 is longitudinallydisposed along one edge of fin 22 and secured thereto. Although bracket70 is shown disposed'along the entire height of tin 22, it should beevident to one skilled in the art that bracket 70 may be successfullyemployed over any .desired portion of the fin height. Interconnectedwith bracket 70 is a cooperating towing bracket 71.

This connector assembly can best be seen in FIG. 11. Connector bracket70 incorporates a longitudinally extending recess 72 and jaw 73. Bracket71 incorporates a mating recess and jaw to provide firm positiveinterlocking of bracket 71 with bracket 70.

Recess 72 is angularly constructed to require unloading of tension andlongitudinal shifting of bracket 70 and 71 before disconnection occurs.Pin 75 is positioned in a perpendicularly arranged cooperating holethrough both brackets 70 and 71 in order to prevent any unwantedlongitudinal shifting of brackets 70 and 71. Undesired slippage of pinis prevented by ball detent 76.

Towing bracket 71 incorporates a shackle 77, which is securely bolted tobracket 71, thereby providing efficient means for secured attachment ofa towing line to allow rapid deployment of the floating boom.

In the preferred embodiment, the connector assembly is manufactured byextruding aluminum in the desired configurations. It is preferred,however. that the extrusions be constructed so that the center line ofthe connectors passes directly through the cooperating, interlockingjaws thereof.

By referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, it can best be seen that optionalnon-slack tension-carrying reinforcing cable is disposed along theloweredge of float 61. Cable 80 is preferably maintained in position bymeans of metallic clips 81, which are secured to each metal insert 62 bythe fastening means discussed above. Cable 80 is swaged or otherwisesecurely mounted within eye connector 82, which is bolted to bracket 70.The use of reinforcing cable 80, which extends along the entire boomlength and is securely mounted to a bracket at both ends of the floatingboom section, provides assurance that all forces tending to stretch fin22 longitudinally will be substantially absorbed by cable 80, therebypreventing degradation or tearing of fin 22.

Disposed along the lower edge of fin 22 are a plurality of substantiallyelliptical weights 84 to provide the desired ballast weight to the loweredge of fin 22. Elliptical ballast weights which can be easily securedtogether are desired, since a single weight can be used, wherepreviously two or more independent weight were required.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription shall be interpreted as illustrative so as to obtain thebenefits of all equivalents to which the invention is fairly entitled.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and that all statements of the scope of the invention which,as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what we claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A flexible, high strength floating boom suitable for deployment andoil containment in rough waters comprising:

A. a continuous elongated flexible barrier fin having upper and loweredges extending over the length of the boom; and

B. a plurality of unitary buoyant floats mounted at spaced intervalsalong said fin,

a. each having a cross-section comprising a vertically elongatedsubstantially rectangular portion having a substantially uniform widthand b. an integral laterally extending wide outrigger shelf portion 1.protruding from at least one side of the vertically elongated portion,2. having a width and depth equal to at least the width of thevertically elongated portion, and 3. positioned above a lower end of thevertically elongated portion,

with the major part of the displacement required for buoyant flotationof the boom being provided by the lower end of said vertically elongatedportion below said shelf.

2. The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the outrigger shelf ofeach buoyant float is further defined as protruding from the lower halfof the vertically elongated portion substantially perpendicular thereto,laterally extending substantially parallel to the waterline.

3. The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the extension shelf ofeach buoyant float further comprises raked side end portions, andslanting bottom end ramp planing surfaces.

4. The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein each buoyant floatfurther comprises a substantially flat finengaging surface for mountingto a first side of the fin in juxtaposed facing relationship with thefin-engaging surface of a second buoyant float positioned on theopposite side of the fin, forming an integral buoyant flotation bodyhaving a cruciform cross-section.

5. The barrier boom defined in claim 4, wherein the float furtherincludes fin-securing inserts having an embedded anchoring portionmolded within the float and a fin-securing portion along an edge portionof the float, substantially aligned with the fin-engaging surface.

6. The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the floats are mountedto the fin at spaced substantially equal intervals ranging between about28 and 34 inches.

7. The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the floats comprise anoverall height of about 16 inches, thereby providing an oil containingfin barrier extending between about 10 inches and 12 inches above thewater surface.

8. The barrier boom defined in claim I, further comprising a pluralityof ballast weights mounted along the lower edge of the fin impartingadditional weight thereto, and lowering the center of gravity of thebarrier boom.

9. The barrier boom as defined in claim 1, wherein said fin furthercomprises a central core incorporating a woven dual fiber networkwherein the fibers disposed along one direction of the network aresubstantially thicker and less pliable than the fibers disposed alongthe other direction of the network.

10. The barrier boom defined in claim 9, wherein the network core issurroundingly enveloped by heat sealed vinyl layers, thereby forming aunitary fin structure.

11. The barrier boom defined in claim 9, wherein the thicker, lesspliable fibers of the fual fiber network are positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the upper and lower edges of the tin, and the thinner,more pliable fibers are disposed substantially parallel to the upper andlower edges of the fin, thereby providing easy bending about verticalaxes and substantial resistance to bending about horizontal axes.

1. A flexible, high strength floating boom suitable for deployment andoil containment in rough waters comprising: A. a continuous elongatedflexible barrier fin having upper and lower edges extending over thelength of the boom; and B. a plurality of unitary buoyant floats mountedat spaced intervals along said fin, a. each having a cross-sectioncomprising a vertically elongated substantially rectangular portionhaving a substantially uniform width and b. an integral laterallyextending wide outrigger shelf portion
 1. protruding from at least oneside of the vertically elongated portion,
 2. having a width and depthequal to at least the width of the vertically elongated portion, and 3.positioned above a lower end of the vertically elongated portion, withthe major part of The displacement required for buoyant flotation of theboom being provided by the lower end of said vertically elongatedportion below said shelf.
 2. having a width and depth equal to at leastthe width of the vertically elongated portion, and
 2. The barrier boomdefined in claim 1, wherein the outrigger shelf of each buoyant float isfurther defined as protruding from the lower half of the verticallyelongated portion substantially perpendicular thereto, laterallyextending substantially parallel to the waterline.
 3. The barrier boomdefined in claim 1, wherein the extension shelf of each buoyant floatfurther comprises raked side end portions, and slanting bottom end rampplaning surfaces.
 3. positioned above a lower end of the verticallyelongated portion, with the major part of The displacement required forbuoyant flotation of the boom being provided by the lower end of saidvertically elongated portion below said shelf.
 4. The barrier boomdefined in claim 1, wherein each buoyant float further comprises asubstantially flat fin-engaging surface for mounting to a first side ofthe fin in juxtaposed facing relationship with the fin-engaging surfaceof a second buoyant float positioned on the opposite side of the fin,forming an integral buoyant flotation body having a cruciformcross-section.
 5. The barrier boom defined in claim 4, wherein the floatfurther includes fin-securing inserts having an embedded anchoringportion molded within the float and a fin-securing portion along an edgeportion of the float, substantially aligned with the fin-engagingsurface.
 6. The barrier boom defined in claim 1, wherein the floats aremounted to the fin at spaced substantially equal intervals rangingbetween about 28 and 34 inches.
 7. The barrier boom defined in claim 1,wherein the floats comprise an overall height of about 16 inches,thereby providing an oil containing fin barrier extending between about10 inches and 12 inches above the water surface.
 8. The barrier boomdefined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ballast weightsmounted along the lower edge of the fin imparting additional weightthereto, and lowering the center of gravity of the barrier boom.
 9. Thebarrier boom as defined in claim 1, wherein said fin further comprises acentral core incorporating a woven dual fiber network wherein the fibersdisposed along one direction of the network are substantially thickerand less pliable than the fibers disposed along the other direction ofthe network.
 10. The barrier boom defined in claim 9, wherein thenetwork core is surroundingly enveloped by heat sealed vinyl layers,thereby forming a unitary fin structure.
 11. The barrier boom defined inclaim 9, wherein the thicker, less pliable fibers of the fual fibernetwork are positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper andlower edges of the fin, and the thinner, more pliable fibers aredisposed substantially parallel to the upper and lower edges of the fin,thereby providing easy bending about vertical axes and substantialresistance to bending about horizontal axes.